Bren, a freelance photographer based in the Midwest. Social media #gardenchat guru who is passionate about growing, maintaining, harvesting and preserving food from a 2400 sq/ft traditional vegetable garden. Bren has various gardens through out her country property that included shade/ woodland gardens and developing herbaceous borders in full sun. Website:http://www.bggarden.com
Bren has written 402 articles so far, you can find them below.
A few of my favorite things at the Central Ohio Home & Garden Show 2010
I’ve been super busy working on #gardenchat details for this spring, trip to Seattle next week and a few new writing gigs that this winter is just flying by. When I contacted the Weirick Group who heads up the Central Ohio Home & Garden Show I was a little sad to think I might not be able to attend with upcoming photography jobs I’ve taken on. This morning I had the privilege of speaking with Amy Weirick of Weirick Communications, Inc. and after our short conversation I’m totally making time in between all my travels to attend the show in Columbus. Amy has been organizing the Central Ohio Home & Garden Show for 11 years and it was wonderful to talk about all the fun I had at last years show and also to hear all the exciting events that are planned for this year. This is my fourth podcast on BGgarden.com and I must tell you that I love how this medium allows me to provide so much more information in addition to writing and images on a blog post. I can’t wait to share with you all the details of this years show.
Displays put together by the Ohio Landscapers at the show in Columbus, Ohio
I went to six shows last year located in Ohio, Indiana and Illinois and this show ranked one of the best in my book because of the friendly gardens and Ohio hospitality. What I enjoyed most was all the art in the gardens. The sculptures made out of natural goods and man made totally created an ambiance in the displays. I’m looking forward to what the Central Ohio Landscapers are going to put together this year because Amy tells me that they are using more natural materials like rocks to go with the Gardens That Rock theme.
Amateur Cake Decorating Contest Winners 2010
If you follow my blog you know that I love food and what we can create from the yummy veggies we can grow in our home gardens. I had to ask Amy on the podcast what was on the ‘foodie’ list for this year. YOU WON’T want to miss the lineup or the chefs that will be taking the stage. She broke some news with us about several special guests, so be sure to listen to the podcast at the bottom of this post.
Last year I tweeted the images above from the show. Thank you everyone who responded to let me know this is Witch Hazel. I was tipped off today that if you want a great deal on some really cool shrubs and plants you will want to attend the show on the last day. Displays can not be taken down until the last few hours of the show and at that time many of the landscape products used in the show are available at incredible prices. I was tickled to hear that Amy got to take this plant home with her last year and it is doing wonderful in her Ohio garden.
Location Ohio Expo Center at the Ohio State Fair Grounds – Pretty much in the HEART of our great state. VERY EASY TO GET TO THE PARKING is easy
Admission
Adults $12 at the door
Children 12 & under: FREE
Parking is $5
DATE : February 26 – March 6, 2011
Special Guest
Acclaimed garden writer – James Baggett, Editor of Country Gardens Magazine /
Tracy DiSabato-Aust ( garden author / editor) who is a graduate of The Ohio State University
Would you like to win tickets to the Show? I’m giving away 4 tickets to some lucky participants who would like to escape winter and enjoy the spring gardens at the Central Ohio Home & Garden Show. All you have to do is post a comment sharing what you can’t wait to enjoy this spring in your home or garden. Winners will be picked by noon on Monday 2/21/11. GOOD LUCK!
You won’t want to miss this interview with Amy at the Central Ohio Home & Garden Show. She shares with me some breaking news and all the fun surrounding this years theme ‘ Gardens That Rock’
Ever have those days when you have a ‘billion’ things to do and when you finally sit down to start working on the project you have a ‘brain fart’ and you just can’t think? I’ve had just that kind of a week! Yesterday one of my chores included spending time harvesting in the greenhouse and preparing it for the week I will be absent. I swept the bunny ‘barn’ that is my gateway to the greenhouse. We have a rabbit show to participate in this weekend so I was happy to see a few of the ‘juniors’ from last year have got a fabulous coat for that show. I can’t help but think it must be the lettuce and grass I’ve been growing for them to enjoy.
In the image above I share with you one of my fuzzy greenhouse friends. There are days you will find this cute little cuddle critter hopping around in between my winter harvest in the greenhouse. I’m a big fan of the Netherland Dwarf because they are small and they don’t eat much. The fact that they don’t eat much means less pellets to purchase for them making them an inexpensive pet to enjoy. These little critters were first introduced to us for a 4H project 8 years ago. Since then my little 4H’er has taken the project to the next level by breeding this variety, showing in national rabbit shows, participating in local rabbit associations all while continuing her 4H career. The rabbit project has provided not only a wonderful experience for my child to learn responsibility but the fact that the animals are being raised as the center focus in my greenhouse project it has brought awareness to how rabbits can provide much more then cuddles. The bunny poo that is cleaned from their cages is mixed into a designated raised bed. It is mixed with the soil and used for growing veggies and blooms around the rabbitry.
Now you maybe thinking you don’t live on a farm and you don’t own a barn so these little critters are not for you. The great thing about smaller breeds like the Netherland Dwarf is they take up little space and most breeders I know even keep them in their city home. I even know a beautiful couple who have large 40 pound Californian’s that dwell in their home as a cat would. The bunnies actually have their own litter box they use! HOW COOL IS THAT?!
Important to Note :
The Netherland Dwarf is only 2 lbs. as an adult
The Netherland Dwarf eats under 2 oz. of food a day.
They are wonderful pets if you remember to cuddle them!
Their waste breaks down quickly for easy use.
Chris McLaughlin has a book coming out about raising rabbits and the benfits of using them in your garden. I will keep you posted on my network when that book is done at the printers.
What are your thoughts about fuzzy friends in the garden? Do you own a rabbit and have some tips you would like to share? I would love to hear from you.
Please check out the links below for more bunny information:
I’ve never had so many houseplants living healthy in my home until after I came in contact with Melissa of Costa Farms. You all know I’m a very busy Mom who enjoys growing in our home greenhouse and sharing the images with the network hoping to inspire but I’m just as excited to share my new found love for the houseplant. Sad to admit that I use to have a few houseplants that were from funerals or from a hospital visit. It is exciting to discover that houseplants are more then just ‘well wishes’. I have always been big on growing herbs or having some type of cut flower in my interior and even a few silk arrangements just to add a splash of color on those drab winter months. Today I have over a dozen house plants throughout my home that bring healthy living as well as color interest to my home. One of the exciting new plant additions to my home is the beautiful yet very intimidating orchid. I have been overwhelmed with the benefits of these captivating bloomers to my surroundings that I am sharing just about every orchid I come in contact with via my network on Twitter. With these shares I have also asked Costa Farms to please share with us the facts about growing orchids.
Melissa has the best job ever! On the job at Extreme Make Over in Savannah Ga. with the Deen Family
In addition to asking Costa Farms to share with us for a fun filled hour tonight on #gardenchat I was honored to talk candid with their Communications Manager Melissa Arteaga Marti. I just love Melissa’s networking from their adventures with ABC’s Extreme Makeover. It has been entertaining as well as inspiring to see her on the job with some amazing folks in the entertaining industry via her Facebook shares. It was wonderful to hear all about her trip to Savannah, Georgia where she got to be on a project with the Deen Family. Y’all know I am HUGE fan of Paulas’ only I try to add less butter and more garden when I bring her recipes to my kitchen. Melissa tells me that Paula Deen is everything I thought she was from being a fan of her magazine and Food Network recipe shares. We talked about the Deen Family on the podcast included in this blog entry as well. I hope you enjoy the podcast below that is filled with some breaking news for the #gardenchat participants and also some fun adventures that are coming soon for all of us who enjoy growing in home & garden.
Please Share with me your thoughts about orchids by commenting on this blog post. Do they scare you or do you see them for how easy they really are to grow?
I don’t think I have ever seen so much hot air coming from my neighbors.
After enduring a day in with temperatures in the teens , tonight’s dinner needed to be one that filled our home with warmth and comfort. What other food can do that then a yummy roast all dressed up with some potatoes in the pot? Be sure to click here for my ROAST recipe. This was the last dish that would have potatoes from my summer harvest because the pantry is empty. I was sure to save a couple that had eyes on them with hopes of using them to plant in early spring.
In the image above you will see two potatoes that were the last of the harvest this year. I also have a brown paper bag in the image that is not for the bottles of wine but for the treasured potatoes. These potatoes will be stored in dry yet cool location which just so happens to be the perfect place where I store some favorite wines. My hopes are that these spuds will sprout and I will be able to cut them to plant in a few months.
Spring 2010 was my first year to grow my own potatoes. I had a blast doing this and it was super easy. Please visit my post from the day I harvested my first batch : Taytos Have Arrived.
Below is another favorite recipe of mine that is super easy to make anytime of the year.
I hope you can use the potato recipe above or at least you were inspired to scrub up some spuds of your own. I would love to hear some of your potato thoughts so please leave a comment below. If you have grown potatoes I would be honored to have you share some growing tips and maybe some varieties to look for. Wish you much warmth and comfort on this winters day.
This will be my first share for the #GardenChatRecipe shares. Jen of @4bratz2luv always has the best shares on Monday that will get you out of the kitchen in time for the garden chatter. We decided to make a category on our blogs loaded with easy recipes that will allow you to cook up a yummy meal for your family and be on your way in time for #gardenchat.
As a northern who lives and grows up in zone 5b I see this time of year when my outside canvas is covered with white mulch as a time of collecting to create. This is a time to be used to sketch up what we are dreaming to grow in our outdoors surrounding in a few short months. Before you know it you will be outside watching the sunset as quick as it rises wondering where did the day go in my garden.
While developing #supersowsunday with hopes of sharing ‘what seeds can do for your growing experience ‘ and ‘promoting those who provide the goods ‘ it was also the kick off of sharing fun and easy ways you can collect seeds for 2011 harvest season. I’m a firm believer in the fact that you do not have to spend tons of money to have a beautiful garden filled with blooms and veggies.
One of the best ways to meet other gardeners in your area is to find out what is going on at your local nurseries, garden centers and public gardens. These locations are where the gardeners connect locally and they will most likely have the latest activities and event posted on location. A big event that takes place in most garden communities is an annual seed swap. In my area we have the Toledo Grows Seed Swap which takes February 26th. Last year I collected some fun new seeds that filled my new raised bed project from early spring to late fall.
I would have never dreamed of starting broccoli (pictured above) for my garden from seeds if it weren’t for some fun chats with local gardeners at the Toledo Grows seed swap. I was encouraged to try veggies from seeds like cabbage, beets and even different crops of carrots.
Cabbage in the new raised bed project outside my greenhouse that I started from free seeds I received at the Toledo Grows Seed Swap.
Swiss chard, lettuce and more radishes
Olivia my pup and I are still trying to figure out what we did wrong with this mystery plant in the raised bed above. The carrots and peas that were in this bed produced a bountiful harvest in early June.
I would love to hear some exciting seeds you have collected at local seed swaps. Please be sure to click on the image at the top of this blog entry to see the list of workshops that will be available at the Toledo Grows event. You can also follow them on FACEBOOK for my information and to connect with gardeners in the Toledo , Ohio area.
For my Friday Flaunt I am going to share this passion flower that is blooming on the vine located in my greenhouse here in zone 5b. I had to climb behind the geraniums to get this image so excuse the blur from a few of the vine leaves that were protecting this beautiful bloom. Happy Fertilize Friday.
Would you like to win tickets to the Show? I’m giving away 4 tickets to some lucky participants who would like to escape winter and enjoy the spring gardens at the Central Ohio Home & Garden Show. All you have to do is post a comment sharing what you can’t wait to enjoy this spring in your home or garden. Winners will be picked by noon on Monday 2/21/11. GOOD LUCK!
This will be my first share for the #GardenChatRecipe shares. Jen of 
For my Friday Flaunt I am going to share this passion flower that is blooming on the vine located in my greenhouse here in zone 5b. I had to climb behind the geraniums to get this image so excuse the blur from a few of the vine leaves that were protecting this beautiful bloom. Happy Fertilize Friday.
